Horner claims Russell “hysterical” amid Verstappen bad blood

Crimson Bull crew principal Christian Horner has accused George Russell of being “hysterical” throughout the Qatar Grand Prix weekend after a falling out with Max Verstappen.

Verstappen revealed after victory on the Losail Worldwide Circuit that he had “lost all respect” for Mercedes driver Russell, who’s a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Affiliation, with the four-time world champion suggesting the Briton was two-faced after being penalised for driving unnecessarily slowly throughout Saturday’s qualifying session.

Russell was advantaged by a one-place grid penalty for the Dutchman, who felt the previous had made the a lot of the state of affairs each on observe and within the stewards’ room, although Verstappen finally pounced on a poor begin from the Las Vegas Grand Prix winner to take the lead and eventual victory.

It isn’t the primary time the duo have come to blows, with Verstappen irked by a transfer Russell made on the opening lap of the Azerbaijan dash race final yr and confronting him in parc ferme.

Requested whether or not his driver was wound up by the choice to demote him from pole, Horner mentioned: “Let’s simply say he wasn’t enamoured with the choice.

“It was a really unusual choice as a result of clearly, the circumstances of yesterday, each automobiles have been on sluggish laps and I did really feel that George and Mercedes made a giant meal out of it.

“It was unprecedented on a sluggish lap for Max to finish up with a one-place penalty.

“However he transformed the dirtiest facet of the grid into one in all his greatest begins of the yr and was completely decided that wherever George was going to brake, he was going to brake later and transformed that grid place into the lead by the top of Flip 1.”

It’s understood that Verstappen and Russell have been concerned in an trade of phrases earlier than the beginning of Sunday’s race and with feelings excessive, Horner was requested whether or not he was involved tensions might circulate over the sting on observe.

“Max, I feel he was disillusioned with it,” he defined. “I imply, if you happen to have a look at it objectively, one might argue that maybe George was driving just a little too shortly on a sluggish lap with two sluggish automobiles forward of him.

“So possibly he was driving recklessly. So, it was irritating to get that penalty. However, he was already motivated to win this race and I feel it solely added to his enthusiasm to get off the road properly.”

Verstappen has been outspoken over penalties he has acquired this season, accusing stewards of bias in the direction of British drivers by suggesting he does not have the proper passport for the paddock.

Put to Horner that this penalty was a case that backed that rhetoric, he insisted: “No, look, I feel the penalty was extra primarily based on hysterics from George, who has been fairly hysterical this weekend.

“However, you realize, that is sadly… I feel there was just a little little bit of gamesmanship occurring in that.”